The Rehabilitation Process

The Rehabilitation Process begins when a rescuer or Rescue/Transport volunteer brings an animal to the Rehabilitation Center. When an animal arrives at the center it is immediately taken from the reception area into an examination room. The person delivering the animal is asked to remain in the reception area in order to complete important and necessary paper work (where and when the animal was found, any prior care received, etc.). This information is critical for proper assessment and care of the animal.

Complete Exam & Treatment Plan

Unless there are severe injuries requiring immediate treatment, the animal is given a period of time to de-stress prior to conducting a full examination. This increases its chance of survival. To reduce stress, human contact is kept to a minimum.

Initial Analysis - a Physical Exam

Many conditions are not immediately recognizable, so a complete exam is conducted. We look for:

signs of shock

dehydration

emaciation

fractures

infections

evidence of parasites

wounds

neurological damage

bone disease (occurs in wild animals fed an improper diet)

Diagnostic Testing

This may include:

blood analysis (to rule out infection, anemia and starvation)

direct fecal and/or blood smear exams (for parasites)

radiographs (x-rays)

Immediate Treatment

This may include:

fluids (for dehydration)

tube feeding (for emaciation)

stopping bleeding

suturing (stitches)

stabilization of a fracture

medications (for infections, head injuries or pain)

removal of fish hooks and fishing line

wound debridement

surgery (Dr. Shannon Riggs, PWC Staff Veterinarian)

Follow-up Care

The results of the initial analysis determine the following protocol.

Immediate release

Although more the exception than the rule, some animals can be released within twenty-four hours after observation and/or minor treatment.

Short-term care

Animals needing this care may have minor injuries or infections or need medications and are housed either at the Rehabilitation Center or at homecare volunteer sites for several weeks prior to release.

Long-term care

Easily stressed species needing greater isolation or animals needing care extending beyond our daily operating hours are placed with homecare volunteers. All other animals are cared for at the Rehabilitation Center.

Restrictions for Public Viewing

The Rehabilitation Center operates under state and federal permits and must adhere to strict requirements pertaining to interaction between members of the public and the wildlife in our care. For these reasons, we do not allow members of the public into the examination and treatment areas. In addition, it is best to limit human contact with wildlife so that the animals remain "wild" when released.

Long-term Care

Orphans

Many babies are brought in who have been separated from their parents. These young animals must go through their growth cycle until they are old enough to care for themselves.

Serious injuries or infections

Severe emaciation

Often, animals brought into the Rehabilitation Center have been unable to obtain food for themselves due to injuries. They may need attention not only for immediate injuries, but also long-term care to allow themselves to be re-nourished.

Releasing an Animal

Prior to release, each animal is assessed to ensure its ability to survive in the wild. The animal must be in good physical condition and possess skills necessary for survival. For example, squirrels must be able to crack nuts and build nests and birds need to be self-feeding and to demonstrate excellent flying form and strength.

All animals are released in their appropriate habitat, which meets the conditions required for that species. In accordance with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, mammals must be released within three miles of where they were found.

Unfortunately, we are not able to save every animal that comes to us. Some animals are so badly injured that their eventual recovery and release into the wild is not possible. These animals are humanely euthanized by our full-time veterinarian or a rehabilitation technician. A quick and painless end is far better for the animal than a long and sometimes painful period of suffering.

Had an adult Male great horned owl pass in my arms&comma; a few years ago&period; When I found him&period;&period;&period;&period;I knew what was wrong&period;&period;&period;I had seen it plenty of times before&period;&period;&period;&period;I held him and whispered&comma; "it will be over soon&comma; my friend"&period; I dont think I've been completly right in the head since then&period; &period; &period; &period;poison is an ecological disaster&period;&period;&period;&period;all it takes is a nudge on the first domino&period;&period;&period;&period;&period;&period;

Freedom Friday! This Western Gray Squirrel has been through a lot in her young, short life. She came into the clinic in the beginning of June with her eyes just opened. A cat had removed her from the nest and killed her sibling. She has grown up in our care and is now back out in the wild able to care for herself. We released her in the squirrel nesting box she used at the clinic and will leave it up at her new location for as long as she needs it. Eventually, she will find a new nesting site of her own. We wish her many happy, cat-free climbing days!

Don’t miss out on our annual fundraiser! This is our biggest fundraiser and we are expanding the venue, chefs and vendors in order to help fund more animal rescues and programs for Pacific Wildlife Care. ... See MoreSee Less

These baby opossums have a second chance at life! Their mom was, unfortunately, killed by a car but these babies survived protected in her pouch. They are doing well and learning to take formula from a syringe.